Forceps are known as non-locking grasping tools which find extensive function in the world of surgery. These function as an extension of the opposing fingers and thumb to support the hand and augment the instrument that is held in the operating hand. Used to fill the primary purpose of grasping, retracting, or stabilizing the tissue. Also, these Suture Holding Forceps are used to pack or extract pass ligatures, sponges, and manipulate needles during the process of suturing.
Types of Surgical Instruments
Most of the forceps are used for general surgery practiced in a research laboratory setting. All the instruments used are categorized as per the function performed by them:
- Cutting instruments: These majorly include surgical blades, scissors, knives and scalpels.
- Grasping or holding instruments: Suture Holding Forceps are a part of this category along with hemostatic forceps and tissue forceps.
- Retractors: These tools are designed to hold incisions open or to hold a tissue or an organ.
Uses of Suture Holding Forceps
These are categorized as per the type of teeth that are designed with to handle and target a specific tissue which is intended to be held. As explained above, Suture Holding Forceps perform the key function of grasping and holding tissue or blood vessels which are causing hindrance during a surgical procedure. These are crucial to be a part of the surgical kit and medical assistants ensure that these work correctly by lubricating their locking mechanisms for smooth opening and closing, especially after cleaning and reprocessing.
How to Choose Surgical Forceps?
Surgical forceps have their own narrowed categorization wherein these are broadly divided into two types mentioned below:
- Thumb forceps: Also known as surgical tweezers or pinning forceps, these are used to apply compression between thumb and forefinger. Mainly used for holding, grasping, or manipulating body tissue, these carry a non-ratchet style. Thumb forceps are designed with varied kind of tips which maybe flat, cupped, ringed, serrated, diamond dusted, grooved, or come with teeth. The teeth actually cause less damage as compared to flat forceps, since these require less pressure to have a firm grip. In order to remove tissues, smooth or cross-hatched Suture Holding Forceps are used.
Common use: Holding or moving tissue or dressings during surgery.
- Ring forceps: Also known as locking / hemostats / hemostatic forceps, these come in a hinged design that appear like scissors. These are designed with or without the option of “lock” for clamping. These are also known as clamps and used to hold the tissue securely. However, when these are used to control blood flow, these are called hemostats and when used to grasp needles, these are termed as needle holders.
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